Volmering eager for his shot in NFL

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, June 12, 2008

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HARBOR BEACH — All Derek Volmering wanted was a chance.

Now, he has it.

Volmering, a 2003 Harbor Beach graduate and former football standout at Saginaw Valley State University, is scheduled to leave for Buffalo. N.Y. this weekend for a Monday-Tuesday workout for the Bills.

Volmering will be part of a group of free agent linebackers who will all be trying to win a precious spot on the roster. The Bills have sort of a linebacker pipeline from SVSU. Last season's starting middle linebacker, John DiGiorgio, is from SVSU. Also, former Bills linebacker Eugene Marve is a SVSU graduate.

It's been a hectic spring for the 5-foot-11, 230-pound Volmering. He had heard rumors he might have a shot at getting selected late during April's NFL Draft, but there were no takers.

"I wasn't really surprised," he said. "Coming from such a small school… You have to be a 'freak' to be drafted."

After hiring agent Lyle Masnikoff, he jumped around at a couple of "Pro Days," though nothing really came from them, either. He also traveled to Cincinnati for a workout for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.

Good news, though, came a while later when he was informed Bills coach — and former Lions coach — Dick Jauron was interested in bringing Volmering in for a workout.

"It's kind of funny," Volmering said. "I had been asking my agent if he had heard anything, but nothing was really coming up. I had actually moved some stuff back to Harbor Beach. But then all of a sudden I get this call about Buffalo."

Volmering has been back in Saginaw, working out at the Ryder Center in preparation for the visit to Buffalo.

He said he expects to know right after the workout if he's one of the linebackers the Bills will keep on the roster.

"I would assume it's going to be as soon as possible," he said, noting mini camp starts next month.

If it doesn't work out with the Bills, Volmering won't give up. He'll keep his options open, including possibly playing in the CFL. He did say, though, he's not interested in arena football.

He also has a couple of job opportunities out of football.

For now, though, he's concentrating on what needs to be done to give him his best possible shot at his ultimate dream.

"It's been kind of crazy," he said. "It really hasn't registered yet that I am in the process of working out for the NFL. It's a dream come true."

The first-team All-GLIAC linebacker led the entire conference in tackles this past season with 119. He also ranked first in Division 2 in forced fumbles (5), and was among team and league leaders in tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (4). He ranks No. 16 all-time at SVSU in total tackles with 252.

For his efforts, Volmering was voted the team's Most Valuable Player, Most Valuable Linebacker and Most Inspirational Player. Those honors, voted on by his teammates, were doled out at the SVSU football awards banquet.

Volmering is the son of Brad and Ellynne Volmering of Palms. He has one sister, Becky.